Mother Arrested In Shomolu Over Child's Unlawful Waste Disposal

The Lagos State Government has arrested a woman for allegedly instructing her child to dump refuse into a covered drainage channel, warning that parents who encourage environmental violations will face prosecution.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed the arrest on his official X account on Monday, saying the suspect, identified as Mrs McCarthy, was apprehended after enforcement officers investigated a report from residents.

According to Wahab, the woman, who resides at No. 56, Adaranijo Street, Pedro, Shomolu, allegedly directed her child to dispose of waste into a drainage channel, contrary to the state’s environmental laws.

 

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“Earlier today, we received a report that a woman identified as Mrs McCarthy, of No 56 Adaranijo Street, Pedro, Shomolu, allegedly encouraged her child to dispose of refuse into a covered drainage channel.

“Following the report, our enforcement officers promptly carried out an investigation, which led to her arrest for violating the State’s environmental laws,” the commissioner said.

Wahab said the incident underscored the need for parents and guardians to teach children responsible environmental practices instead of encouraging actions that could obstruct drainage systems and worsen flooding.

“We expect every resident to act responsibly and to educate their children on the importance of protecting public infrastructure, particularly drainage systems.

“Encouraging acts that contribute to blocked drains and environmental degradation is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he said.

Wahab added that maintaining a clean environment required collective action from residents.

“A clean, safe, and flood-resilient environment is a shared responsibility. We urge all residents to dispose of waste properly and support the collective effort to keep Lagos clean,” Wahab stated.

The commissioner also disclosed that the state had stepped up enforcement activities along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway as part of efforts to restore environmental order.

According to him, enforcement teams have, over the past three weeks, intensified the removal of shanties, illegal structures and other environmental nuisances along the corridor.

“Over the past three weeks, our enforcement team has intensified the clearance of shanties, illegal structures, and other environmental nuisances along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

“This exercise will be followed by sustained surveillance and continuous monitoring to ensure that environmental order is restored and maintained along the corridor,” he said.

Wahab warned residents against converting public spaces into illegal markets or using them for unauthorised private activities, stressing that offenders would be prosecuted.

“We urge members of the public to respect and preserve our environment by refraining from converting public spaces into illegal markets or for any unauthorised private use.

“Anyone found encroaching on public spaces or using them for unlawful purposes will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the extant laws of Lagos State,” he said.

  

Categories: News, The Environments